The latest campaign of one of the true warriors of Godolphin's Australian team gets underway for Generalife when he runs in the G2 Missile Stakes, the first stakes race of the new season, at Randwick on Saturday, August 6.
The latest campaign of one of the true warriors of Godolphin's Australian team gets underway for Generalife when he runs in the G2 Missile Stakes, the first stakes race of the new season, at Randwick on Saturday, August 6.
A winner at G3 level and twice in Listed races, Generalife (John O'Shea/Brenton Avdulla) has also been placed twice in G1 company.
"He's one of those good, old horses who have a heart to match their ability. He wouldn't know how to run a bad race," said his trainer John O'Shea.
"The horses he meets in the Missile will probably be a bit slick for him, but we'll be looking for him to run a nice race at the 1200m and see how he comes through it and then step him up to something a bit longer."
A career that includes nine wins and 10 placings has earned Generalife almost $900,000 - and a lot of respect among all who have worked with him.
"He's a very popular horse among the staff, a real old favourite," O'Shea said.
Generalife, who turned seven this week, prepared for Saturday's first-up assignment with a couple of barrier trials, the most recent at Randwick late last month when he satisfied his trainer with a solid performance.
"In the first half of the trial he was in a good rhythm and he brushed home nicely to finish off well in the last 100m. It was a pleasing trial and he's pulled up very well," O'Shea said.
Among Generalife's six, Missile Stakes rivals is the G1 Golden Slipper winner Capitalist who has also trialled nicely since returning to work.
While the feature sprint heads the Randwick card, Godolphin will also be looking to a more modest event for a pointer towards the coming Spring racing.
Chetwood (John O'Shea/Brenton Avdulla) a winner at the first of his only three starts at three, returns to racing in the Rotary Club Of Botany Bay Handicap, having trialled brilliantly at Randwick a week ago.
"He got into a nice rhythm, mind wasn't racing which is a good sign, he was manageable in his action and handled the speed of the trial," O'Shea said.
Chetwood won the trial by five lengths in the style of a horse with plenty of potential.
